Sheng Peng
Collin Graf was all smiles after another friendly fire incident.
On Wednesday, after the San Jose Sharks’ last-minute 4-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks, Yaroslav Askarov high sticked Graf in the post-game celebration.
Graf apparently took high stick from Askarov in post-game celebration, I didn’t notice at first so I didn’t ask about it, also didn’t see him post-game, but watch close here, Askarov checking on him, Celebrini gives him an atta boy, Graf skates off on his own, so SHOULD be OK pic.twitter.com/UxTXhkiQGB
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 2, 2026
Today, Graf reported a bloody nose, and that’s it.
This is the second time that a teammate has hurt Graf this season, and in a non-game situation. In practice on Dec. 22, the San Jose Sharks winger took a deflected puck to the face, causing a significant scar just under the nose.
Graf lost a lot of blood, but didn’t miss a game.
This “injury” was far less serious: Head coach Ryan Warsofsky suggested that Askarov should get Graf dinner, Askarov joked that it was a personal attack, and Graf laughed about it all.
Askarov says, “It was a personal thing”, high sticking Graf 😆
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 2, 2026
San Jose Sharks (35-31-7)
Alex Nedeljkovic will start.
Igor Chernyshov will once again be a game-time decision, but he did skate in an optional practice this morning and looked good doing it.
Chernyshov just got off the ice for practice, says he’s feeling good. Doesn’t know if he’ll play tonight, but definitely looks better than yesterday.
He’s aware of the @NHL_On_TNT graphic that mistaken him for Macklin Celebrini 😆
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 2, 2026
Sure looks like Chernyshov will be in tonight, but of course, have to see how he feels at 7 PM: Kurashev, Regenda, Dellandrea & Klingberg, your likely scratches, continue to skate, about 20 minutes after rest of #SJSharks went into locker room
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 2, 2026
If Chernyshov is not available, Philipp Kurashev will slide in for him.
Probably moot point, but Warsofsky declined to answer why Kurashev was ahead of Regenda in "pecking order" tonight.
Says Dellandrea playing yesterday was part of plan to re-integrate him into action, but he wasn't going to play back-to-back https://t.co/xBQ9rnQO8D
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 2, 2026
There will be no other line changes. This is my best guess for tonight’s lines:
Chernyshov-Celebrini-Smith
Eklund-Wennberg-Sherwood
Graf-Misa-Toffoli
Goodrow-Ostapchuk-Gaudette
Orlov-Desharnais
Mukhamadullin-Ferraro
Dickinson-Leddy
Nedeljkovic
Toronto Maple Leafs (32-30-13)
Anthony Stolarz will start.
Craig Berube says Phil Myers will come in for Troy Stecher. Former Shark Steven Lorentz will come in for Michael Pezzetta. @Ozoon_CA
— David Alter (@davidalter) April 2, 2026
Where To Watch
Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs is at 7 PM PT at SAP Center. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.